The Philanthropist and the Ballerina

My passions are inescapable.  Let me explain.

For those who have known me a long time and even come to know me in a recent meeting / conversation etc. Will know that I was born into this world with a desire and a fire to make it a better place.  Well, that’s clichéd.  Cynics say that saving lives leads to population explosions and therefore compounding the problem.

I say this, with Mother Teresa:

We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.

So, I have spent the last few months with the Phoenix Philanthropist Group and the Phoenix Volunteers group doing just that. It involves packing food to be shipped to countries that have nothing, or boxing food for the immediate needs here in Phoenix. Handing out clothes to kids on the streets or give them school supplies.  We get involoved with Foster care systems to help the kids get into good homes, or have an education.  Together with Celebrities around here we help fight and rescue girls from Human / Sex trafficking and also rescue abused babies.  We also gather, sort and pack medical supplies, tend to gardens, do recycling projects and help people build and fix homes -  I thoroughly love it.

Last year was a dismal and stressful one.  Waiting for my Greencard and the uncertainty that went with that aged me a few years.  Then 2012 was going to be “MY YEAR:” and it started off even worse than last year ended. With all the illnesses etc.

I must say however, the last few months has brought me back to life. Lit the spark in my soul again and just put me in places that I never thought I would be.  Well, I had hoped.

I did a few more movies and a commercial. That was fun.  I sold my house in South Africa finally and was able to let go of that burden (bitter sweet).  It seemed July 2012 brought much stress relief, joy and newness.

So in conjunction with all the happy-happy, I decided to enroll for a Classical Ballet class – remember how I have always talked about “taking a class”.. well here it is.

The first one was fantastic – I didn’t realize it was “Level 2” – and it hurt quite a bit (And have since decided to switch to "Level 1" for a few weeks to get me IN TUNE) -  But I had so much fun. I must say Ballet does for me what people say Yoga does for them. Frankly yoga puts me to sleep. 

Picture it: There I stand in my tight yoga tights and tank top. Chin up, ballet shoes in 'position one' – Left hand on the Barre -> one girl behind me and one in front.  3 girls at Middle Barre.  Mirrors everywhere.  The ballet teacher is a kind, funny man – who although he doesn’t look like he does ballet, his technique is effortless.  He shows us the steps while talking in “Ballenese” (Well, it’s just French really) – It takes a lot of concentration.. SO many movements to remember and each body part moves separately yet as one.  My mind is frazzled…

And then the music starts.. Beethoven, Sonata 14 – I recognize it.. instantly it transports me to a place of pure peace and joy.  My body becomes one with the music – "Plié" - the instructors words are careful and bold.. they fill my ears - I'm now listening with my body.. Mindful to pay attention and not just get lost in the music...

It feels amazing albeit I look like the equivalent of laundry being hurled into the air (the teacher’s words – not mine LOL)

There is something magical about Beethoven, Bach and Amadeus and Brams.

There is this thing in them.. those notes, those chords that reaches right into the depths of my core.  I feel a tender watering of a flower that was deemed dead.. and it blooms again…..

There is such joy in the season when pain and hurt is passed.. I know it will come again like winter comes, but each time we are all the readier all the stronger. And for now. – I bask in

What I started this blog with – my inescapable passions.. I dive into them.  With all of me.